Galeb

That was a good Arran run with a strong team at the start...but Arran being Arran it seems to always manage to throw challenges at you! We were setting a good pace until I got a pinch puncture going over a pothole at 25 miles to go...we decided at the start there will be no waiting and so I mended the puncture and set off in TT mode keeping calm not to blow early. 3 miles later I see Jan on the side of the road with a puncture, gave it a quick thought and decided I would keep going as agreed at the start. Just before Lochranza climb there were some road works and I was stopped by the workers for 2 or 3 mins ruining the momentum I had going . They gave me the go ahead and then back to TT mode, half way up the climb looked back and saw Jan catching up...I thought perfect we would rejoin for the last 10m as I needed a good push to catch the 11.05 ferry! At that point it was around 10.30 already so once we rejoined we set off at a good pace sharing the workload and just manged to catch the ferry...don't think would have made it alone. Thanks Jan for the nice steady wheel at the end and Paul and Ian for the team work at the start .
That's SA done 

That was a good Arran run with a strong team at the start...but Arran being Arran it seems to always manage to throw challenges at you! We were setting a good pace until I got a pinch puncture going over a pothole at 25 miles to go...we decided at the start there will be no waiting and so I mended the puncture and set off in TT mode keeping calm not to blow early. 3 miles later I see Jan on the side of the road with a puncture, gave it a quick thought and decided I would keep going as agreed at the start. Just before Lochranza climb there were some road works and I was stopped by the workers for 2 or 3 mins ruining the momentum I had going . They gave me the go ahead and then back to TT mode, half way up the climb looked back and saw Jan catching up...I thought perfect we would rejoin for the last 10m as I needed a good push to catch the 11.05 ferry! At that point it was around 10.30 already so once we rejoined we set off at a good pace sharing the workload and just manged to catch the ferry...don't think would have made it alone. Thanks Jan for the nice steady wheel at the end and Paul and Ian for the team work at the start .
That's SA done 

That was a good Arran run with a strong team at the start...but Arran being Arran it seems to always manage to throw challenges at you! We were setting a good pace until I got a pinch puncture going over a pothole at 25 miles to go...we decided at the start there will be no waiting and so I mended the puncture and set off in TT mode keeping calm not to blow early. 3 miles later I see Jan on the side of the road with a puncture, gave it a quick thought and decided I would keep going as agreed at the start. Just before Lochranza climb there were some road works and I was stopped by the workers for 2 or 3 mins ruining the momentum I had going . They gave me the go ahead and then back to TT mode, half way up the climb looked back and saw Jan catching up...I thought perfect we would rejoin for the last 10m as I needed a good push to catch the 11.05 ferry! At that point it was around 10.30 already so once we rejoined we set off at a good pace sharing the workload and just manged to catch the ferry...don't think would have made it alone. Thanks Jan for the nice steady wheel at the end and Paul and Ian for the team work at the start .
That's SA done 

That was a good Arran run with a strong team at the start...but Arran being Arran it seems to always manage to throw challenges at you! We were setting a good pace until I got a pinch puncture going over a pothole at 25 miles to go...we decided at the start there will be no waiting and so I mended the puncture and set off in TT mode keeping calm not to blow early. 3 miles later I see Jan on the side of the road with a puncture, gave it a quick thought and decided I would keep going as agreed at the start. Just before Lochranza climb there were some road works and I was stopped by the workers for 2 or 3 mins ruining the momentum I had going . They gave me the go ahead and then back to TT mode, half way up the climb looked back and saw Jan catching up...I thought perfect we would rejoin for the last 10m as I needed a good push to catch the 11.05 ferry! At that point it was around 10.30 already so once we rejoined we set off at a good pace sharing the workload and just manged to catch the ferry...don't think would have made it alone. Thanks Jan for the nice steady wheel at the end and Paul and Ian for the team work at the start .
That's SA done 

Couple of other things - Well done to Joseph for a  cracking effort tonight. For those that dont know youths ride and race on restricted gear (i think it will be something like 81 inches)...what this means in effect is when the pace picks up particularly when the bunch is going down hill to the west ferry or heading towards kilmacolm and bridge of weir he needs to be spinning at 140+rpm just to keep up.
Second -  Most impressed by the kit and co-ordination from Billy!

Just under 105 miles. Only 25 out. Great route but utterly exhausting. Peroni is helping though

GlAD to hear you've been initiated Galeb
 
 

Good ride...that Clune thing felt like it was never going to end...

Good ride...that Clune thing felt like it was never going to end...

Another good run on a pleasant evening. Couldn't hold the wheels on Bishy hill, then caught up with Charlie at the start of Westferry. We worked together until Heggies, then the hill did what Hills do to me. Rolled through the bunch at the top of the Clune, then suffered a spontaneous double leg failure just before the final descent into Kilmacolm. Met up with Gerrard in the village and we worked our way back . Shattered but happy to be out.

Will also try and tag along.

ok Stevie
It is 56 miles around arran. The classic challenge is the single loop between to 0700 ferry and the return at 1105. effective time once you get off ferry and get back on in time is 2h45m which means an average just over 20mph for the 56 miles. It is challenging as the roads are twisting turning up and down which means lots of braking and hits the average. Approx 20 people are in the hall of fame for the single. Once you do that which I think you definetly could do, there are  4 other halls of fame.
1) The 56+50 which is one single plus a second loop with a minor short cut, this between 2 ferries (5 in this Hall of fame)
2) The solo single (3 have done this)
3) The new kid on the block, the winter single which must be on winter bike and winter ferry timetable (4 people attempted this winter but no one done it yet)
4) The mythical and immortal DA, the Double Arran, 112 miles at average 20mph (2 in this Hall with lots of help from super domestiques). You should definetly set your sights on this as it will truly change your life. It will also cripple you for a week
am I selling it
 
 

With the clocks changing that means the Thursday night chaingang is due to start  - meeting at 6pm at the bus stop on Georgetown for the first few weeks (it will be a bit later as the nights get lighter). 
For those that havent done it before this is the route https://www.strava.com/routes/2016619
As a  training run / chaingang, if you get dropped or have a mechanical then the group wont wait. There will however be a regrouping at the top of the Clune.  If dropped on the west ferry there is an opportunity to take a short cut up Heggies. This is the route for that https://www.strava.com/routes/2016627 Don't let the fear of being dropped put you off coming out, it's a good training ride and one that will bring on your fitness  quickly.  Leaving it for a few weeks and trying to build your fitness up won't help as much as jumping right in, if you get dropped by Bishopton so be it - come back again next week and you will hang on longer.
Rear light probably a good idea for the ride home
 

I can help. I'm bound to make an arse of the time keeping, so if anyone is wanting a massive PB to kick off their season then wednesday may be the day for it!
 
 
 
starts at the inchinnan end of the georgetown road, goes up to the roundabout at crosslee, then back to the start.

Great conditions today for a lumpy 10 mile spin.
Todays times are:
Dave Cowan             33:35 (pd)
Gerrard Deeley      29:02 (pd)
Katrina Hamilton   30:41 (pd)
Galeb                             27:12 (pd) PB
Ian Archibald            25:31 (pd)
So, the points for today are:
Ian Archibald   20
Galeb                    15
Gerrard               10
 
Which means the leaderboard now looks like:
 
Gerrard     25
Ian A.           20 ( by virtue of faster time)
Eric               20
Galeb           15
George        10
Katrina is heading up the ladies event
The Hilly TT championship is wide open, as any one of the five contenders can take the win on paper. In reality, they have to do it on the course on Saturday 25th August.
 
I have £15 to transfer to the club account.

Will be riding.
Cheers.

Sunday bogs bunch today masquerading as the Saturday bunch. It was more pronto than piano. Galeb and I there from JWCC on what felt like a summers day after the winter we've had.  Galeb turned off at Ardrossan due to time constraints. I actually got over Kilimanjaro drag, ahem, might have been due to puncture victim half way up so we stopped !
Got as far as Paraffin Lamp then turned off to Lochwinnoch. Some winter bogs are sore. Some are very sore. By Lugton today I can only describe it as DOMS without the D

 

Galeb 
The times I have ridden this you get a cable tie on your big ring , which usually shows the signs of a chain if you use it re where you are in the block don’t think anybody checks or works out gear ratios 

Once again, it's the start of the Confined Event TT series. This is the first trophy of the season up for grabs to the fastest rider on the day.
2 laps of a hilly route with some challenging turns and a terrific descent. An excellent introduction to time trialling for beginners, as well as a decent warm up for the more experienced.
There will be a short ride down to Castle Semple after the run for tea and scones, those with pointy hats riding at the front
As normal, there will be a £3 entry fee, payable on the day, the proceeds going towards the costs of the awards at the end of the season.
The course:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/651582320
Please note that the start point has been moved to the duck pond where parking is better and traffic is slower. This should make the start a little safer for everyone.
Meet at the start at 09:45 ready for first rider off at 10:00.
I will drive the route on Friday night to ensure that it is clear of snow and ice.
I do not intend to defend my title on this race as I have not yet fully recovered from fatal manflu, so I will be there to hold or timekeep. 1 more volunteer is required for officiating.
I will post the Risk Assessment on Friday.
I will bring some cable ties.
 
and finally, it is Mothers Day, so don't forget to take your mum some flowers after the race.

Screamer. Picture postcard day to be round the coast. It was a bit cold if you were in the picture mind you. 10 of us rolled a high and smooth tempo to Largs. Young team were out and some calming words required as we set off at Tuesday night pace and I was dipping into the red before Bishy. It felt hard, I think it must have been as we were at Largs for 11.35 which is about the earliest I can remember. Continued on in same vein and bodies like me started to sit back from Ardrossan due to gubbedness. 4 of us got pumped on the lower slopes of the Kilimanjaro drag. It was a scenic but sore ride home in the afternoon sunshine from the foot of Kilimanjaro. 

 

That was some experience. After puncture, jacket zipping issues and road work closures and having to dodge diggers and holes in the road I managed to just miss the ferry (I know how you felt Robbie!). Having said that there is something addicting about it and I dont think this is the end . I must say, one thing that kept me going is the amazing views that I managed to take in every now and then in the head down tt mode position.
Thanks Paul and Michael for trying to get back to me, but seems like it wasn't meant to be this time...

Stopping for punctures makes the task too hard. We need a rule:  puncturees fall on their sword for the greater good. We should honour them however on a sacrificial failures spreadsheet.
I need to meet Galeb btw. Virtual high 5 for failing so admirably.

That was some experience. After puncture, jacket zipping issues and road work closures and having to dodge diggers and holes in the road I managed to just miss the ferry (I know how you felt Robbie!). Having said that there is something addicting about it and I dont think this is the end . I must say, one thing that kept me going is the amazing views that I managed to take in every now and then in the head down tt mode position.
Thanks Paul and Michael for trying to get back to me, but seems like it wasn't meant to be this time...

That was some experience. After puncture, jacket zipping issues and road work closures and having to dodge diggers and holes in the road I managed to just miss the ferry (I know how you felt Robbie!). Having said that there is something addicting about it and I dont think this is the end . I must say, one thing that kept me going is the amazing views that I managed to take in every now and then in the head down tt mode position.
Thanks Paul and Michael for trying to get back to me, but seems like it wasn't meant to be this time...

That was some experience. After puncture, jacket zipping issues and road work closures and having to dodge diggers and holes in the road I managed to just miss the ferry (I know how you felt Robbie!). Having said that there is something addicting about it and I dont think this is the end . I must say, one thing that kept me going is the amazing views that I managed to take in every now and then in the head down tt mode position.
Thanks Paul and Michael for trying to get back to me, but seems like it wasn't meant to be this time...